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Working Actor Life

Gabrielle Byndloss + Sam Valentine

The actor group chat you didn’t know you needed.

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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 35 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • S1 · E44
    Thursday · 46 min

    44. ACTUAL tools for Imposter Syndrome as high achieving actors (with therapist Stevon Lewis)

    stevon lewis, a licensed therapist who specializes in imposter syndrome is HERE! he works with a lot of high achieving people, including actors, who feel like frauds no matter how much success they rack up. we get into: why hitting a new level in your career resets the clock instead of curing the imposter feelings how to build confidence off data instead of feelings gab's flip side of imposter syndrome, being told to shrink herself so she doesn't come off as cocky. how actors can tell the difference between nerves and a real lack of confidence in a room. Links: Southern California Counseling Center www.sccc-la.org Therapy for Black Girls https://therapyforblackgirls.com/ Timecodes: 01:00 — how stevon found his way into imposter syndrome work 04:00 — why success doesn't cure imposter syndrome, it resets the clock 07:00 — imposter syndrome disguised as motivation and hustle 09:00 — where to start when you've had success but still feel stuck 12:00 — SCCC and finding a therapist wherever you live 17:00 — gab's flip side, being told to shrink so she's not seen as cocky 23:00 — building confidence with zero credits yet, plus the shaq free throw analogy 28:00 — stevon's own story, wonderland ave and choosing to be himself 37:00 — taking up space while still reading the room, plus wrap up

  • S1 · E43
    August 20 · 36 min

    43. on hold, avail check, right of first refusal...aka the WAITING part of this job

    gab is on network test for a series (yes there's a nudity rider, yes there's a lawyer, yes we break down a lot of it, and YES spoiler alert she booked RIGHT after we finished this pod) sam just spent four days on avail hold for two commercials shooting in two different states at the same time. so let's talk about the in between. what do you actually do with your body and your brain when you don't know if you booked. Links: TM https://themembership.co/ Sam IG https://www.instagram.com/samvalentine/ Gab IG https://www.instagram.com/gabriellebyndloss/ Timecodes: 00:00 — cold open, gab doesn't subscribe to her own podcast 04:00 — why sam can't live share the way gab does 05:00 — gab's elevator pitch, callback to network test to lawyer to nudity rider 12:00 — sam's story, two commercials on hold in two different states 17:00 — "booking the room" 22:00 — protecting your peace vs letting yourself feel it 26:00 — how to strengthen the waiting muscle, sam's booking song and gab's workouts 29:00 — why a co-star hold deserves the same respect as a series hold 32:00 — nudity riders, intimacy riders, and wikifeet 35:00 — wrap up

  • S31 · E42
    August 13 · 50 min

    42. wtf is up in actor life: summer 2026

    back from our little podcast break (which, tbh we recorded right before we left, so nothing actually changed). this week we're catching up: from rewatching old audition tapes to see who booked the roles we didn't, noticing how often "open ethnicity" breakdowns still end up going to white actresses, the pitt's wild filming schedule, the ick we sometimes feel around actors overselling their credits in their bios, and whether that reaction says more about us than about them. links:themembership.co@samvalentine@gabriellebyndloss chapters:01:00 – what's actually filming right now (rj decker, will trent, the pit, criminal minds)04:00 – rewatching old audition tapes and who booked instead06:00 – open ethnicity breakdowns and the industry backslide since 202014:00 – the pitt's unusual filming schedule and self-submitting for emmys16:00 – the dunkin' commercial that got away19:00 – how the podcast became a trust-building tool for their brand22:00 – why talking about acting off the clock feels different in LA vs elsewhere29:00 – bosch, legacy roles, and feeling defined by your biggest credit32:00 – picking up cues, feedback for future episodes36:00 – the instagram bio debate: overselling credits vs owning your wins44:00 – the dm pet peeve: asking for a full career plan for a five day trip

  • S1 · E41
    July 10 · 17 min

    41. book the f*^k out (the july break episode)

    Why we're stepping away from the podcast for the month of July, and why we think you should be looking at your own schedule for what can come off your plate right now. Gab just took a full week off and we break down what that actually looked like (from nighttime resets to finally catching up on sleep debt) and what happens when you let yourself really disengage instead of half-assing a break...if you feel called out, hello! We also get into the industry side of stepping away: why booking out doesn't mean you're not dedicated to your career, + why agents actually respect it. Links:TM join The Headshot Class Sam IG Gab IG Chapters:00:00 Welcome back, and why we're taking July off from the podcast01:00 The industry slowdown and why this time of year hits different02:00 What you can let go of in these last few weeks before August04:00 What Gab's week off actually looked like06:00 Building a nighttime wind down routine09:00 Why disengaging has to be structured (and why that's okay)10:00 The steamboat mentality and why one person can't carry everything11:00 Booking out without the guilt13:00 Old school rep mentality vs how the industry actually works now14:00 Headshot Class wrap up and what's next with summer school inside the membership15:00 Sneak peek at what's coming: acting on camera skills, callbacks, and more

  • S1 · E38
    June 25 · 24 min

    40. Sam's first commercial booking in 3 years: full behind-the-scenes from ATL.

    We are literally in the car on the way to set. Sam booked her first commercial in three years, and Gab is along for the ride. Sharing exactly how this booking came together, why being a local hire in Atlanta actually makes financial and logistical sense for Sam specifically, what it takes to pull that off without it being a disaster, how wardobe fittings work, what to pack when you're doing an overnight booking, commercial conflicts, and the single best reminder about self tapes. Links The MembershipSam on InstagramGab on Instagram Chapter Markers [00:00:00] We're in the car on the way to set[00:01:00] How the booking happened and why Atlanta works for Gab[00:04:00] Canceling the trip, booking the flight, making it work[00:06:00] The logistics of staying with a friend for a booking[00:10:00] What happens at a fitting and how the client looks at you[00:11:30] TV vs. commercial fittings, what is different and why[00:15:00] The client watching self tapes on mute at the fitting[00:16:00] Commercial conflicts, Hyundai, Ford, and why you have to track this yourself[00:20:00] What to pack for an overnight booking[00:23:00] Casa Amor, the plan for tonight, and what comes next

  • S1 · E39
    June 18 · 47 min

    39. "I am special" and other lies we tell ourselves.

    one of our members just hit a massive milestone:first co-star, first rep, SAG-E status, woo hoo! but instead of feeling on top of the world, she's feeling the weight of how much further there is to go. we've all been there. you work so hard for the thing, and when you finally get it, you look up and realize it's just the beginning. we wanna chat about this specific flavor of overwhelm and why it doesn't mean something is wrong with you/your career.we also get into sam's BI news: she got randomly selected for the SAG Motion Picture Nominating Committee (yes this is clearly v important to her) which means she'll be screening movies before they're widely released and helping narrow down award nominations. which brings us to how FYC events actually work, who pays for them, and whythe awards are kind of purchased LinksJoin The MembershipSam on InstagramGab on Instagram Chapters00:00 Sam got selected for the SAG Motion Picture Nominating Committee06:00 How FYC events work and who actually pays for them08:00 "Everything is eyes. Everything is dollars."13:00 One of our members booked her first co-star and she's overwhelmed17:00 Sam didn't picture herself working through adulthood — and why that matters22:00 Is this the mountain I want to climb?24:00 Where you bring your career questions matters as much as the questions themselves28:00 What shifted between then and now?31:00 The two different kinds of self-awareness (and how they both trip you up)40:00 Coffee meetings, bartering, and knowing your worth45:00 Why Sam secretly wants to be someone's assistant46:00 Headshot class is coming and Sam wants it as a birthday gift

  • S1 · E35
    June 11 · 23 min

    38. Step-by-step headshot planning.

    Get in on the LIVE class! EDIT: it is now JULY 7th! *Everything you need to know before your next headshot session, and how to build your headshot plan from the data you already have!*We are recording this one from Sam's living room with Gab fresh off a week of working in person together and yes we are talking headshots AGAIN. This is not about telling you to just "get good headshots." This is about the prep work that makes the session itself easy, so you can show up, sleep the night before, and let the other creatives do their thing. And if you want to go deeper on all of this, the Headshot Class is July 7th at 5pm PT / 8pm ET. You'll get a printable guide you can bring to your photographer, your hair and makeup team, and your reps. If you can't make it live, you still get the recording and the guide. **Links**Join the Headshot ClassJoin The MembershipSam on InstagramGab on InstagramChapters00:00 - recording from sam's living room + what this episode is about01:49 - what the headshot class covers and what it'll help you walk away with02:00 - the pre-homework: why most of us skipped this for years03:44 - starting with your past auditions to find the through lines05:57 - identifying which headshots are currently working06:33 - how to ask your reps in a way they can actually answer08:13 - building your headshot budget (the full cost breakdown)11:49 - deciding how many looks you actually need13:32 - how to choose the right photographer for the vibe you're going for14:16 - if you're brand new and have no data yet: where to start16:00 - using tv shows filming in your market + looking at co-stars18:02 - finding actual headshots on actors access vs. imdb19:10 - if you have no idea what your essence is: how to figure it out21:05 - what the headshot class goes deeper on + how to get the guide22:30 - wrap it up!

  • S1 · E37
    June 4 · 38 min

    37. BTS on our next headshots + how we make them better every time.

    Join the LIVE Headshot Class! We're sharing exactly how we're approaching our upcoming headshot sessions, including why we booked two different photographers, how we used our audition histories to figure out what we actually need, and why we're finally remaking The Headshot Class. We break down the process of pulling your character types from real audition data, why you shouldn't be getting headshots for roles you've never been called in for, and what to do when you're earlier in your career and don't have much data yet. We also get into some real talk about Gab's Cape Fear premiere, the nerves that come with seeing yourself on screen, and what it means to finally not be celebrating a career milestone alone. Links: Follow us on Instagram:@samvalentine: https://www.instagram.com/samvalentine/@gabriellebyndloss: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellebyndloss/ Join The Membership: https://themembership.co/ Chapters: 00:00 Gab's coming to LA (and it's already a lot)02:00 Why we booked two photographers instead of one05:00 Sam's new commercial rep and what they're actually asking for10:00 We're remaking The Headshot Class, and here's why11:30 How to use your audition log to plan your headshots13:00 Gab doesn't keep an audition log, and here's how she approached it anyway15:00 Stop getting headshots for roles you've never auditioned for17:30 What to do when you're starting out and have no data yet19:30 It's okay to get the wrong headshots first22:00 Gab's five character types from her audition history24:00 Sam's character types (including the one she really wants to play)27:00 Commercial vs. theatrical: why they need completely different shots32:00 Gab's premiere nerves and what she's actually nervous about34:30 Why it matters to not do this career alone

  • S1 · E36
    May 28 · 34 min

    36. Surviving the internet (and general rejection) as over-sharing actors.

    Gab shared a post this week about the "thanks but no thanks" emails that come with the job, and the internet had...feelings. Which brings us into difference between processing your feelings and wallowing in them, why having a big resume doesn't make rejection sting less, and how the pressure to perform positivity (online and as actors in general) quietly makes us smaller...and how much it comes down to being seen and accepted. Links The Membership: https://themembership.co/Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samvalentine/Gab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellebyndloss/ Chapters 00:00 - Behind the scenes chaos and missing episode 2802:30 - Gab's rejection post and the "just be grateful" comments07:00 - Sam on learning to have opinions online without people-pleasing09:00 - How rejection notes make us question our choices (and our looks)11:00 - Street cred, submission reports, and the legitimacy question13:30 - Who's actually lurking and what they're deciding about you15:30 - Having credits doesn't mean rejection hurts less18:00 - Forced positivity, auditions, and what we're told women shouldn't feel20:00 - Sam's rule: it's your house, don't let anyone leave trash on your lawn23:00 - How Sam and Gab are wired completely differently, and why it works26:00 - The CVS story you didn't know you needed to hear27:00 - Does any of this make us smaller as actors? Actually... no29:30 - Timothee Chalamet, Marty Supreme, and singularly focused characters31:00 - We don't live in singularities33:00 - 20,000 listeners and Gab still doesn't believe anyone's watching

  • S1 · E35
    May 21 · 36 min

    35. (trigger warning) How auditioning can bring up survival mode.

    Trigger Warning: we discuss eating disorders and sexual assault in this episode. Please only listen if this is a safe space for you. Two real booking stories, one booking and one not (yet), and what they reveal about the auditions we almost talked ourselves out of: this week, Gab is dialing in live from Nashville where she's on set for a commercial that put her through one of the most challenging callbacks of her career. Sam shares the not-booking story where being too young was somehow the problem. And we wide up chatting about how the audition process has a way of surfacing things that have nothing to do with acting and everything to do with who you've had to become to survive. We didn't plan to go this deep...but Sam didn't edit it out. Links Join The Membership: https://themembership.co/Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samvalentine/Gab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellebyndloss/ Chapter Markers [00:00:00] Gab is live from Nashville (on a commercial booking)[00:01:00] The audition that almost broke Gab before the booking[00:02:00] The nationwide callback, the timeline pressure, and the live TM watch party[00:04:00] 30 redirects on one line and what that actually means[00:05:00] When the feedback hits different because of your identity[00:07:00] Why Gab records every callback (and what she found when she watched it back)[00:08:00] The avail, the booking, and the full Nashville logistics saga[00:10:00] The reframe: auditions are not supposed to be fun[00:13:00] Sam's not-booking story: the casting director who said she was too young[00:15:00] The age range spiral and what it means to be stuck between brackets[00:18:00] The healthy stalk that actually helped[00:21:00] Sun exposure, Botox, and whether taking care of yourself changes your casting[00:24:00] The unbothered quality you can't fake and what it actually comes from[00:26:00] How essence can work for you and against you in the same room[00:27:00] Eating disorders, trauma, and this career's way of magnifying what we carry[00:33:00] Why actors might be doing the most important work without realizing it[00:35:00] Wrap-up and a reminder that this podcast is doing very well (Gab still doesn't believe it)

  • May 14 · 24 min

    34. The "momentum" Conversation: Using your bookings and wins with reps, casting, and the the media.

    So you booked and want to know how to turn that momentum into something more.PR? Get a Deadline article? Rebrand? We're getting honest about what actually moves the needle versus what just burns money. We break down our own PR experiences and why media coverage hits differently depending on your credit level. And what else you can do with your wins. Links: The Membership: https://themembership.co/Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samvalentine/Gab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellebyndloss/ Chapters: [00:00:00] Welcome back + setting up the episode[00:01:00] The member question: how do I use momentum after a booking?[00:02:00] Sam's PR experience after her 2020 film[00:03:00] Gab's PR experience with Marvel and the discount she negotiated[00:04:00] Why Deadline articles matter for SEO, and when they're actually worth it[00:05:00] The real deal on Voyage LA and "pay to play" local press[00:06:00] When PR might actually make sense (and when it absolutely doesn't)[00:07:00] What your reps are already doing with your momentum that you can't see[00:08:00] Gab pushes back: co-stars that weren't really co-stars[00:09:00] Atlanta vs LA: what a co-star booking actually looks like in different markets[00:11:00] Gab paid for a Voyage article and never received it. A cautionary tale.[00:12:00] The internal momentum no one talks about[00:13:00] How Sam makes a big deal out of small wins, and why that matters[00:14:00] On auditions you didn't book and the stories we tell ourselves to stay in the game[00:15:00] Using near-misses as data points and pitching yourself for the right role[00:16:00] The audition Sam turned into a second opportunity (and booked)[00:17:00] Gab's been reading! "Don't Believe Everything You Think" and goal-setting from inspiration vs. scarcity[00:20:00] What it looks like when a member's mindset shifts in real time[00:23:00] Urgency, fear, and why pushing harder doesn't make this industry reward you faster[00:23:30] Outro + a teaser about Gab's week

  • S1 · E33
    May 8 · 46 min

    33. From Sides to Deadline: Vas Saranga on His Netflix Booking and What Gets Actors Cast

    Our in-house Coach Vas is back on the pod, and we brought him on at exactly the right moment: his Deadline article just dropped for his brand new booking on the Netflix limited series I Will Find You, and we could not wait to dig into every part of how it happened. From the audition process + live Zoom session and the day to day of being on the set, this episode is a real behind-the-scenes look at what booking actually looks like from someone who coaches and acts. Vas also walks us through his SELECT framework he developed to make sense of how any actor gets cast. SELECT stands for Skill, Experience, Luck, Essence, Connections, and Timing, and hearing him break it down against his own recent booking is one of the most practical things we have heard on this show.} Links Join The Membership (TM) Sam on Instagram Gab on Instagram Timestamps 00:00 Welcome back, Coach Vas! The Deadline article drop and the Netflix booking news03:00 The full audition timeline: reading for one role, getting called back for another05:00 Live Zoom vs. self-tape: why Vas prefers self-taping and what changed in this session07:00 The director who hated him: breaking down creative differences vs. personal conflict10:00 What it means to be "hated" on a job and why it can actually signal your value13:00 Being loved vs. liked: why authenticity creates polarizing reactions15:00 The Vas-style audition: safety takes, elevated takes, and the four Es (Energy, Emotion, Engagement, Environment)19:00 How Vas decides which takes to submit and in what order22:00 The live Zoom: reading for a different character and referencing The Fugitive25:00 Intra-script improvisation: what it is and why it worked in the room27:00 Gab's callback story: taking ownership of the room through a calculated risk29:00 Introducing SELECT: Skill, Experience, Luck, Essence, Connections, Timing34:00 How SELECT applied to Vas's actual booking36:00 Luck and essence for early-career actors: why you can book before you have everything38:00 Network position: first, second, and third position explained41:00 Wrapping up: how to keep working on your SELECT letters even when auditions are slow45:00 Did Vas pay a publicist to get in Deadline? The answer might surprise you

  • S1 · E32
    April 30 · 42 min

    32. Current audition situation: zero comfort-zone.

    We're pulling back the curtain on two very different audition-challenges we're each navigating right now: Sam took a leap on an audition that requires her to sing an original Christmas song..despite having been removed from choir as a kid. Gab is managing the physical, emotional, and logistical reality of straightening her 4C hair for a series of auditions while unpacking the complicated feelings that come with it. ...and essentially why both of us are choosing to lean into the discomfort rather than pass on what scares us. We wrap with a little detour into the Alex Cooper vs. Alix Earle situation because honestly, sometimes you just need some low-stakes drama to decompress. Links Join The Membership (TM) Sam on Instagram Gab on Instagram [00:00:00] Welcome back[00:01:38] Sam's singing audition[00:05:36] Favors, voice coaches & asking for an extension[00:08:31] When an audition pushes you out of your comfort zone[00:13:22] Gab's straight hair journey[00:15:00] The beauty politics of hair[00:25:26] Finding the fun in the hard stuff[00:28:32] Using personal challenges to deepen your acting[00:31:05] Detour- Alex Cooper vs. Alex Earl[00:36:22] Gab's upcoming live with Jen Rudolph[00:41:27] Ratings, reviews & where to find us

  • S1 · E31
    April 23 · 44 min

    31. Zero Auditions = doubling down on the good stuff

    Sometimes the universe clears your calendar for a reason. So what happens when auditions go quiet? We think that silence might be exactly what you needed. We share three real examples from our own lives and inside The Membership of actors who shifted their focus, trusted the timing, and watched things open up in ways they never expected. We also get into why "just be grateful" is not the same as choosing to focus on what's actually working, how Sam's networking move turned a near-miss into a genuine relationship, and what Gab learned from Coleman Domingo about refusing to call this career hard. Links Join The Membership (TM) Sam on Instagram Gab on Instagram Timestamps[00:00:00] Welcome back (yes, there's a helicopter)[00:01:45] Trusting a quiet audition period[00:04:07] Our platform launch week and the auditions that waited[00:06:39] TM member story: boundaries, a great day job, and a flood of auditions[00:12:20] Doubling down on what's working instead of what isn't[00:15:00] The difference between gratitude and actually choosing your focus[00:17:42] Coleman Domingo never called acting hard[00:18:46] What's filming right now in Atlanta and LA[00:21:31] Why passing compliments is the best networking[00:24:28] What Sam would tell her younger self about the long dry spells[00:28:03] Why a quiet season might be protecting you from yourself[00:38:42] Alter egos, fake tattoos, and Gab's potential blonde era

  • April 16 · 14 min

    30. Do you really need a manager?

    We are about to get so for real. MANAGERS and AGENTS. When and why actors should consider adding a manager to their team, the differences between managers and agents, the importance of having leverage before hiring, financial and legal considerations, team dynamics, and a hell of a lot of personal experience. Take the free Actor Type Quiz⁠ Join the waitlist for The Membership⁠ Sam’s IG Gab’s IG

  • S1 · E31
    April 9 · 27 min

    29. The "Waiting" Trap: reps, readiness, and releasing the pressure

    We pulled real comments from our Working Actor Express Bootcamp participants and broke down what we would say to each of them if we were coaching them live. Chances are, if they're wrestling with it, you are too. We dig into the "waiting until ready" trap that so many actors fall into, including the outdated idea that you need a perfect package before reaching out to reps. We also get into the truth about how representation actually happens in today's industry (hint: it's peer to peer, not cold submission), why going somewhere with a networking agenda usually backfires, and how to release the pressure of doing everything all the time. We also talk about one bootcamper sitting on a celebrity connection and why we'd actually coach them NOT to use it, what to do when you're creatively depleted but still showing up, why we think "just be grateful" is a fear-based manipulation tactic, and how to think in seasons instead of days so your workload doesn't flatten you. Links: Join The Bootcamp Sam on Instagram Gab on Instagram Timestamps: 00:00 Podcasting from the car (Sniff Spot run with the dogs) 01:00 Why we're breaking down real bootcamp comments today 02:40 Bootcamp comment #1: "I procrastinate on things that will move me forward" 03:45 The Dreamer archetype and learning to leap without a net 05:20 Why the traditional rep submission process isn't working the way it used to 07:00 How representation actually happens now: peer referrals over cold outreach 09:00 Kick The Ladder and finding your community (especially in non-LA markets) 11:30 What the WAL Membership actually looks like for relationship building 12:25 Should you use Rapunzel or Talent Link? Our honest take 13:03 Staying active without expectations: the hardest skill in this career 14:28 Bootcamp comment #2: "I've been doing a lot of waiting" 15:45 The "working actor version of me" exercise and what it reveals 17:35 The celebrity contact: why we'd coach them NOT to reach out yet 19:50 When you're creatively depleted, what actually needs to change 21:13 Thinking in seasons, not days, and lightening up on your expectations 23:30 Auditions as inconveniences and giving yourself permission to need a slow week 25:00 "Just be grateful": why we think it's a manipulative tactic and what to say instead 26:35 The bootcamp is still open + how to join

  • March 26 · 40 min

    27. Redirects, Callbacks, & why the acting career doesn't really have LEVELS.

    Everything we knew about this industry two years ago is probably already outdated...We are back after a week off because auditions came first, and that is exactly the point. This episode covers a big, busy week. We talk about redirects that feel like callbacks, a five-minute straight monologue callback tape, the reality of sustained audition volume without a booking, why levels in this industry are mostly a myth, the rise of vertical shorts, my manager search, and why everything you knew about this industry two years ago is probably already outdated.We also get into the case against AI demo reels, how to use an emotional map for long-form auditions, and why staying humble and staying a student is the only real survival strategy. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro, tech issues, we skipped last week, and why acting always comes first 00:01:30 The redirect that felt like a callback and what re-tapes actually signal 00:03:30 Essence over credits and why I did not get the redirect and was totally fine with it 00:06:00 My four auditions for two characters on the same new series 00:07:00 Sam's five-minute straight callback tape, 9 pages, one scene, full monologue 00:10:30 Using an emotional map and pinned sides, not cheating, it's smart prep 00:13:00 How many pages does The Pit film per day and what that tells you about your audition 00:14:30 Audition volume without a booking and when frustration starts to kick in 00:15:30 A series regular had to put a one-liner on tape and nobody is above self-taping in 2026 00:17:00 White Lotus, two co-stars, going up against a series reg, hope and perspective 00:18:30 Ground Up with Natalie, the podcast I sent Sam (linked) 00:19:00 Levels in acting and why we do not use them in TM and why they stunt your growth 00:22:00 What I learned from Sam and what Sam learned from me, it is not about credits 00:23:00 Vertical shorts are SAG now, Disney, YouTube, and why we are the beginners here 00:24:30 Your essence is your superpower even if you do not know what it is yet 00:25:00 Sam's new commercial agent and going back to in-person audition rooms 00:25:45 My manager search, Talent Link, cold submissions, referrals, and what actually worked 00:29:00 Thunderbolts was coming out and nobody responded, the industry is humbling 00:30:00 What our TM members have taught us about growth and staying open 00:32:00 Ego in the room vs ego about the outcome and how to use confidence correctly 00:33:30 Actors who make their own stuff and then steamroll everyone, Sam's lesson in humility 00:34:00 Do not hold us to what we said two years ago and do not hold yourself to it either 00:36:00 AI headshots and AI demo reels and why they look like shit and will not skip the line 00:39:00 The moral: nobody knows anything, let's play as a team 00:39:30 Our Working Actor Bootcamp is coming in April, join the waitlist below Links Join The Membership (TM) Sam on Instagram Gab on Instagram Ground Up with Natalie How We Approach Auditions Differently What We Were Wrong About, our most popular episode

  • S1 · E34
    March 11 · 36 min

    26. This is unlikeable: What we are actually think mid-audition

    Doors to The Membership are opening soon. If you’re tired of spiraling alone after auditions, ⁠this is where we fix that! What actually goes through our heads when the camera is rolling and nobody's watching? This episode, we pull back the curtain on the messy, unfiltered, very human We take turns going deep on the real inner monologue behind the self-tape process, from imposter syndrome to beauty standards to full-blown existential crises. We're talking: the thought that makes Gab question whether she should even be coaching why being "beautiful" in this industry isn't always the advantage people think it is the hidden time tax of hair and makeup — and why it makes Sam genuinely resentful second-guessing whether Atlanta actors are just fillers for bigger-market hires what self-sabotage actually sounds like mid-tape spiraling from one hard audition into "what am I doing with my life" whether you have to feel it "in your bones" to be a working actor the difference between doing this because you love it vs. because you're good at it how your cycle can affect your confidence (yes, we went there) what to do when the thought doesn't go away — and when to just tape anyway Sam's skincare journey update (and a truly unhinged Accutane detour) Timestamps:00:00 what this episode is and why Gab came up with it02:00 the format: fly on the wall, ping pong style03:00 Gab's first thought: "how can I not know how to do this if I coach people?"05:00 walking away vs. pushing through...how Gab decides07:00 when being in your head can actually work for you on camera09:00 a membership win: booking after an audition they hated10:00 Sam's thought: resentment about hair and makeup prep time13:00 "being beautiful in this industry is not helpful" and why Sam stands by it14:00 Gab's second thought: are they just going to give this to someone from LA?16:00 self-sabotage disguised as logic17:00 spiraling into: what are we actually doing?19:00 acting as a drug, signing up again and again for the emotional toll21:00 synced cycles, spiral season, and the audition thoughts that come with it22:00 Sam's deepest fly-on-the-wall thought: is this as good as it gets?25:00 Gab's honest take: "I don't feel it in my bones that I'm supposed to be an actor"27:00 over-identifying as your job and what that costs you29:00 Sam's skincare update + the Accutane rabbit hole we did not plan for Follow: ⁠Join The Membership ⁠for coaching, live feedback, masterclasses, and real-time actor community support. ⁠Follow Sam⁠ ⁠Follow Gab

  • S1 · E25
    March 4 · 27 min

    25. Why we stopped prepping every audition the same way

    Doors to The Membership are opening soon. If you’re tired of spiraling alone after auditions, this is where we fix that! We break down exactly how we prepped two very different auditions + why there is no one-size-fits-all method for working actors. We’re talking: - how to decide how much time an audition actually deserves - indie film vs network tv prep differences - when to immerse yourself in research and when to keep it simple - memorization tricks that actually work for self tapes - audition burnout and over-prepping - why consistency with casting matters more than perfection - how to stop “showing your work” in auditions - the psychology behind relaxed auditions - why not every tape needs 12 hours of backstory - how to treat audition prep like a strategy, not a ritual Timestamps: 00:00 why we’re keeping this intro short 02:00 sam’s indie film audition breakdown 05:30 reformatting messy sides and making bold choices 07:45 memorizing with repetition and passive listening 10:00 why taking breaks (and naps) actually helps 14:00 filming in stages and not forcing creativity 16:30 over-prepping vs strategic prep 20:00 gab’s “24th time auditioning for this show” mindset 22:00 how to prep when casting already knows you 24:00 why both approaches are valid 26:00 the biggest mistake actors make with audition prep Follow + resources: Join The Membership for coaching, live feedback, masterclasses, and real-time actor community support. Follow Sam Follow Gab

  • S1 · E24
    February 25 · 40 min

    24. Actor Emotional-Whiplash: From booked & busy to SILENCE in one week.

    Last week we were on actor HIGHS: SEVEN auditions between the two of us. Voiceover sessions. Commercial callbacks. Zoom auditions with five-minute slots. Manager calls about new agents.This week? Nada.So let's break down the MENTAL hustle of staying in the game when the momentum spikes and then fades. Cause this is what we signed up for as working actors.⸻We’re talking: • What a 5-audition week actually looks like behind the scenes • 12-hour turnaround auditions and how to handle them • Auditioning at 6am for a major Netflix show • How to approach dummy sides when you have zero context • Using coaching to shape strong first takes • Why Zoom auditions are worth saying yes to • How to ask for time in the room without panicking • Commercial agent expansion and pitching yourself strategically • Direct-to-callback commercial auditions • The emotional crash after a big audition week • Your nervous system in context to actor life⸻Timestamps00:00 – Why we hit record immediately02:00 – Manager calls and commercial agent expansion06:00 – Five auditions in one week08:00 – 6am Tyler Perry audition for Netflix11:00 – Coaching choices and finding the comedy13:00 – The crash day after momentum15:00 – Audition flow vs emotional regulation21:00 – Taking the Zoom audition that scares you24:00 – 5-minute live audition breakdown27:00 – Asking for time in the room30:00 – Direct-to-callback KFC commercial33:00 – How many times is too many auditions for one brand35:00 – Meeting reps in person and relationship building39:00 – Why this industry is emotional whiplash⸻Links & Resources:Join The MembershipSam’s InstagramGab’s Instagram

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